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Lincoln · Midsize / large SUV

2026 Lincoln Aviator

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
54 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns6
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA3
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
2026202520242023202220212020

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Aviator RWD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 3 complaints, most often about the seats. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Aviator RWDGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182521$2,950
Aviator AWDGas4WD (part-time)3.0L 6-cyl turbo172520$3,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 49887, 49925.

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Seats

26S53
76,748 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.RiskUnexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
NHTSA campaign 26V470000reported Jul 21, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Seats

26S52
387,911 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.RiskA seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7
NHTSA campaign 26V451000reported Jul 14, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Visibility

26S22
55 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.RiskAn inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V202000reported Mar 31, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Seat Belts

26C18
561 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.RiskA loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V159000reported Mar 17, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Visibility

25C60
56,841 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."RiskReduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V730000reported Oct 24, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Trailer Hitches

25SA3
1,412 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.RiskWhile towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V687000reported Oct 10, 2025Ford Motor Company

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
3complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Seats2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

What owners describe

“Ford's remedy is to disable the memory seatback in recall 26S53. This is not a remedy. This is disabling a feature that I paid for on this vehicle. Not sure why Ford / Lincoln think this is ok. I understand that this could put a child or person at harm in the back seat. But the recall shows a complete disable. Not a te…”Sep 8, 2026 · Seats · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2026 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the hood unlatched unexpectedly and raised up towards the windshield. The view ahead of the vehicle was blocked due to the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.”Sep 2, 2026 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA owner report
“When unlocking the vehicle, the driver seat slides backwards and reclines to the maximum unexpectedly. If there is a passenger in the rear seat, the seat will trap the occupant and not stop when it meets resistance. This is similar to an already identified recall, but my vehicle was not on that list. I believe the reca…”Aug 11, 2026 · Seats · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV AWDnot ratednot rated★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Aviator model years

F

2025 Lincoln Aviator

15 recalls · 14 complaints

F

2024 Lincoln Aviator

8 recalls · 6 complaints

F

2023 Lincoln Aviator

16 recalls · 27 complaints

F

2022 Lincoln Aviator

22 recalls · 57 complaints

F

2021 Lincoln Aviator

28 recalls · 42 complaints

F

2020 Lincoln Aviator

30 recalls · 118 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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